Austria

The river cruises in Austria from The River Cruise Line are varied and exciting, offering a selection of cruises to suit your unique needs. It’s no secret that Austria’s countryside is breathtaking, or that Vienna is one of the most famous cities in the world, but it is landlocked, so cruising probably isn’t the first thing you’d think of when considering an Austrian holiday. But a river cruise is the perfect way to soak in the sights, tastes and sounds of this beautiful country.

Our Austria cruises use the Danube river, and some move up the Rhine as well. Keep an eye on the variety of cruises for these rivers, as well as the featured cruises tab below. Or watch out for our special offers page for last-minute deals on various cruises, including our Austrian cruises.

Austria is a mountainous central European country whose name, Österreich, means ‘eastern realm’. It has an approximate population of 8 million — with 98% of these speaking German — and its capital is Vienna, which sits on the famous Danube river.

The great Danube river runs through the north of Austria and can take cruise passengers from Germany all the way through to the Black Sea. This river forms such an integral part of the Austrian identity that it inspired the famous waltz The Blue Danube by composer Johan Strauss II.

Please get in touch with us here at The River Cruise Line if you’d like to ask us anything about our Austrian river cruises.

Austrian River Cruises

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Visit three great capital cities – Vienna, Bratislava & Budapest, as well as other as other charming towns and exciting cities, as we cruise along one of Europe’s finest rivers, enjoying the Delights of the Danube.

Join us on this fantastic cruise from Cologne to Budapest to see some of Europe’s greatest sights. Enjoy the spectacular natural landscapes of the Rhine gorge; the grand palaces of Vienna and the magnificent architecture of Budapest- this cruise has it all.

From the water to the riverbank, see the best of the Danube on our Cruise & Stay tour, taking in Melk, the Wachau Valley, Vienna and Bratislava before stepping ashore for a three night stay in the heart of Budapest.

Immerse yourself in the amazing culture of some of the most interesting cities sitting along the Danube by joining us on this spectacular river cruise.

Guide to Cruising in Austria

A cruise along the Danube provides an experience of Austria’s beautiful towns and cities, including Vienna and Passau, that cannot be enjoyed from any other vantage point. Cruising through the country on this great river introduces even the well-travelled to Austrian culture in a new way. A cruise on the Danube is a perfect way to discover more about this beautiful country.

Fantastic cities

There are many wonderful places to explore in Austria, including the capital, Vienna, which boasts stunning buildings and public squares. There is also Passau, which will leave you charmed with its idyllic castles, beautiful cathedrals and cobblestone streets. For lovers of history and fine architecture, no trip to Austria would be complete without a visit to Melk to see the Benedictine abbey.

Great food and wine

Austrian cuisine is strongly influenced by the bordering countries of Italy, Hungary and Germany, and yet Vienna is renowned for its own distinct gourmet cuisine. Some of the country’s most famous dishes include apple strudel, Wiener schnitzel and Sachertorte.Moreover, the Wachau valley — sitting along the Danube — is a wonderful wine-producing region famed for its white wines, such as Chardonnay and Riesling.

Stunning scenery

Along the river lies the remarkable Wachau valley, home to an abundance of vineyards, quaint villages and breathtaking views. All of this has earned the Wachau valley status as a UNESCO World Heritage site. A river cruise along the Danube will guarantee constantly changing views of the wonderful architecture and lovely scenery on both sides of the river.

Austria rivers

• The medieval landscape of Wachau valley – famed for its vineyards — lies between Melk and Krems and has evolved organically over time.

• Melk Abbey is one of the most famous monastic houses in Austria, where the monks of St Benedict have lived and worked for over 900 years.

• Dürnstein is a charming town surrounded by beautiful scenery and filled with traditional architecture and places of historic interest. You can tour this location before stopping at one of the Wachau’s renowned wine cellars to sample some wine.

• Explore Vienna —the city of whirls and waltzes, the city of music, and the capital of Austria.

• Schönbrunn Palace is one of Austria’s most visited sites and features 1,441 rooms with magnificent interiors.